I finally made it to the Bagel or Beigel stall at Foodie Fridays!

Watch the video here

They regularly pop up at the Ely market but they have always managed to escape me. Today, I decided to take the plunge and check out their epic salt beef bagels after hearing so much about them.

If you haven’t heard of these guys, they are a small family business that launched during lockdown, offering absolutely huge salt beef bagel sandwiches! They bake everything in small batches from their kitchen in Suffolk, and you can really tell the difference compared to the mass-produced stuff you find in the supermarkets. They have a massive focus on traditional methods but with their own twist, and vegan options are also available.

The Bants

One thing you will quickly learn about Bagel or Beigel is the queue. There is always a queue. But do not fret, as they manage their time incredibly well and you are also provided with a bit of mid-queue entertainment. And by entertainment, I mean you are the entertainment.

​The chap who runs the stall loves a bit of banter, so watch out – if you have thin skin, you may not like it! I personally love a bit of this dying art and it was refreshing to see. It is something that used to exist a lot in the markets back in the day, and it really adds to the character of the place. It makes the wait part of the event rather than just a chore.

Behold!

​I went straight for the Dirty Reuben.

​Now, these guys actually have a warning on their menu: “Sorry we add too much meat in our bagels.” That is exactly the kind of problem I like to have. The Dirty Reuben is a serious bit of kit. It is loaded with their homemade salt beef, homemade pickles, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, all topped off with thousand island dressing and grilled right there on the bagel.

This is a proper foodie find. It is incredibly messy – you definitely need a few napkins on standby – but the structural integrity of the bagel holds up surprisingly well against that mountain of salt beef. The balance of the tangy sauerkraut against the Swiss cheese and the kick of the pickles works so well with the salted beef. It all comes together so nicely. This truly is a dish for the foodie who loves BIG PORTIONS!

One of my favourites at the market

I’m genuinely kicking myself for leaving Bagel or Beigel for so long. This may be one of my favourites at the Ely Market, and that is up against some stiff competition.

If you are looking for a bagel that is handmade with heart and properly loaded, then you need to find where Bagel or Beigel are popping up next (follow their Instagram here). Just be prepared to get your hands dirty!

Thanks for reading.